Method, system and components for preserving wooden gutters

Abstract

Wooden gutters are protected against the weather and their useful life extended by applying a flexible plastic liner along the trough of the gutter and closing the ends thereof with sealing caps. The liners and caps are tightly secured in place to prevent water from seeping in-between the liner and the wood gutter. The liner is of extruded, flexible plastic material contoured to fit snuggly within the gutter trough and is readily cut to a length corresponding to the length of the gutter. The end caps may be made of injection molded plastic parts formed with cooperating grooves to receive the ends of the liner, and connectors are provided to join adjacent sections of liners. Other components include corner joints, drain connectors and lifters to provide a pitch to the liner to ensure drainage.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A system for weatherproofing the trough of a wooden gutter, comprising (a) an elongated, waterproof, longitudinally and laterally flexible, soft plastic liner adapted to line the surface of the gutter trough when installed therein, said liner being characterized by a softness and flexibility sufficient for said liner to conform to the contour of said trough when installed therein, and   (b) end caps connectable to the ends of said liner to close the ends thereof,   (c) the lower surface of said liner being formed with longitudinal corrugations.   
     
     
       2. A system, according to claim 1, wherein said liner is generally U-shaped in cross-section and formed with longitudinal lips along both long edges thereof. 
     
     
       3. A system, according to claim 2, wherein said liner is formed with integral spaced parallel ribs along the upper surface thereof. 
     
     
       4. A system, according to claim 1, including at least one connector for joining with other components of said system in end-to-end relation, said connector being generally U-shaped in cross-section and formed with a groove along the side edges thereof. 
     
     
       5. A system, according to claim 1, including a corner piece for joining liner sections at an angle, said corner piece being formed with a pair of angularly disposed legs each of U-shaped cross-section and adapted to fit in the corner of the trough of two gutters joined at an angle. 
     
     
       6. A system, according to claim 1, including a drain connector comprised of a tubular lower portion and a flanged upper portion, said upper portion being formed with at least one groove between the edge of the flanged portion and the top of said tubular portion. 
     
     
       7. A system, according to claim 1, wherein said liner is longitudinally and laterally flexible to an extent sufficient to allow a length of said liner to be rolled into a coil, said liner being formed with a normally U-shaped cross-section when in a relaxed, straight condition. 
     
     
       8. A system, according to claim 7, wherein said liner is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel ribs lengthwise along the upper surface thereof, the bottom surface being smooth. 
     
     
       9. A system, according to claim 7, wherein said liner is formed with outwardly extending flanges along both long edges thereof. 
     
     
       10. A system, according to claim 7, wherein said liner is of a thickness between 0.010" to 1/8". 
     
     
       11. A liner for weatherproofing the trough of a gutter, comprising (a) a section of waterproof, flexible resilient, soft plastic material of a width and length sufficient to cover the surface of said trough in surface-to-surface contact therewith,   (b) said liner being generally U-shaped in cross-section in a relaxed, straight condition and being sufficiently flexible to be rolled into a generally flat coil,   (c) the face of said liner adapted to contact the surface of said trough being formed with longitudinal corrugations.   
     
     
       12. A system for weatherproofing the trough of a wooden gutter, comprising (a) an elongated , waterproof, flexible plastic liner adapted to line the surface of a gutter trough when installed therein,   (b) end caps connectable to the ends of said liner to close the ends thereof, and,   (c) at least one lifter adapted to be mounted between the liner and the trough to raise the height of said liner, said lifter being in the form of an arcuate section conforming to the curve of the trough.   
     
     
       13. A liner for weatherproofing the trough of a wooden gutter, comprising (a) a section of waterproof, flexible, resilient, soft plastic material of a width and length sufficient to cover the surface of said trough in surface-to-surface contact therewith,   (b) said liner being generally U-shaped in cross-section in a relaxed straight condition and being sufficient flexible to be rolled into a generally flat coil,   (c) the face of said liner adapted to contact the surface of said trough being formed with a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves and ribs.   
     
     
       14. A liner according to claim 13 in combination with a generally rigid, U-shaped, pre-formed and relatively short member dimensioned to fit in said trough and to connect with an end of said liner.